Proposed Oz law could give police power to lift Burqa (Veil used by Muslim women)
PPP conspires to end Christian representation in National Assembly of Pakistan
Pakistani Christian condemn devolution of Federal Minority Ministry
Key US lawmaker condemns Muslim Brotherhood talks
Massive protests in Syria; 12 killed in clashes
11 Afghans killed by roadside bomb planted by Taliban Militants
Woman among 5 killed in Taliban, Afghan forces clash
Syria death toll rises to 28, Assad sacks Hama governor
Libya can sting Europe like ‘swarm of bees’: Moamer Qadhafi
Gaddafi’s granny army
‘Qadhafi threats won’t deter NATO mission’
US renews demand for Gaddafi to abandon power
Resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue 'constructive' step: US
Gilani asks parties to support govt efforts on Kashmir
Awami League ‘not satisfied’ with constitutional amendment
BNP to launch movement for ‘fall’of Bangladesh govt
Iran supplying weapons to groups in Iraq, Afghanistan
Contest in Pak’s Punjab univ: An ode to Osama
Al-Qaeda facing financial crunch and manpower shortage
Swiss couple abducted in Pakistan
PML-N hurdle for grand Opp. alliance, says Pak Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam
Pakistan, UK vow to reinforce bilateral ties
‘Huge ransom paid in Pakistan’ for Western hostages
Afghan general resigns over Pakistan shelling
Pakistan, UK vow to jointly fight terror, promote peace
Army: US Afghan pullback lets Taliban open new bases
Morocco overwhelmingly approves curbs on king’s
Drones striking inside Pakistan launched
Bin Laden was worried about al Qaeda’s state
Cameron, Zardari pledge to work together
Latest standoff: Pak, US squabbles over drone base
UK asks Pakistan to move decisively against al Qaeda
Navy to get a Russian nuke attack submarine soon
‘Pak Army trying to weaken civilian govt post Osama raid’
Hundreds of Afghans join anti-Pakistan rocket demo
Iraq civilian deaths at highest level since January
Yemen officers arrested for betraying president
US to operate drones from Afghan bases now
Iraq amends draft oil and gas law
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/proposed-oz-law-give-police/d/4954
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Proposed Oz law could give police power to lift burqa(Veil used by Muslim women)
Jul 02 2011
Melbourne: Proposed changes to a law related to the burka will reportedly force Australian women wearing full-face veils to should their faces when stopped by police, if passed by court.
Attorney-General Greg Smith has said that it is the duty of all citizens to identify themselves when asked by police, and the law should reflect that.
"The law is not that specific at the moment and that is what we are leading towards," The Telegraph quoted Smith, as saying.
He said he could understand the "public outcry" over "cases like that" of Muslim woman Carnita Matthews, who had her jail sentence and conviction for knowingly making a false complaint about racism by police overturned on appeal in the District Court last week.
Matthews, who wears a full-face niqab, had denied that she was the person who signed the complaint or delivered it to police after she was booked for not properly displaying a P-plate.
However, Smith thinks that there were grounds for the prosecution to appeal the court ruling that has led to the legal proceedings, and added that there could only be an appeal on matters of law, not fact.
"Personally, having looked at the case, I have my doubts," he said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/811861/
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PPP conspires to end Christian representation in National Assembly of Pakistan
Jul2, 2011
Islamabad: June 21, 2011. (PCP) The Election Commission of Pakistan declared selection of Dr. Khatu Mall Jewan on a seat in National Assembly of Pakistan vacated after assassination of Federal Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti
and issued notification of succession which was pending through a petition filed by a Christian Michael Javed claiming to be successor on vacant seat as per Pakistan People’s Party PPP priority list submitted with Election Commission of Pakistan in 2008.
Dr. Khatu Mall Jewan being in inner circles of President Asif Ali Zardari who is also co-Chairperson of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party won PPP nomination of Senate of Pakistan from Sindh province of Pakistan and became member of Senate of Pakistan.
Shahbaz Bhatti, was selected as Member of National Assembly of Pakistan in 2008, according to PPP priority list and later elevated to rank of Federal Minority Minister.
Shahbaz Bhatti was assassinated in capital city Islamabad by Tehreek Taliban Punjab TTP on March 2, 2011, when he was heading for a cabinet meeting from his home.
Shahbaz Bhatti was on number one in priority list of Pakistan Peoples Party and was declared selected by Election Commission of Pakistan in 2008, when four seats were allocated to PPP on percentage of wining seats as a share from Ten Reserved Seats for Minorities in National Assembly of Pakistan.
PPP selected three Hindus from Sindh on reserved seats of minorities and one Christian Shahbaz Bhatti, while Dr. Khatu Mall Jewan was on number 5 on priority list and Michael Javed on 6th and Khalid Gill on number 7th.
According to PCP sources, as Dr. Khatu Mall Jewan is known to be a friend of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari who also shares domicile with Dr. Jewan from Sindh province of Pakistan, gave him ticket for election for Senate of Pakistan on general seats from Sindh and Dr. Jewan became a Senator.
After assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, who is also co-Chairperson ordered his friend Dr. Khatu Mall Jewan to resign from seat of Senate of Pakistan and nominated him on vacant seat of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti in National Assembly of Pakistan.
Mr. Michael Javed challenged decision of his party leadership and filed a petition with Election Commission of Pakistan to seek notification of succession on seat vacated after death of Shahbaz Bhatti.
Michael Javed was of view in his petition that as he was on number 6th in PPP priority list and Dr. Khatu Mall was elected as member Senate of Pakistan, so, it is his legitimate right to be declared selected on vacant seat but PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari wanted his friend Dr. Jewan for this lot.
According to inner circles of Pakistan Peoples Party, Michael Javed bargained on principal to safe his business and paved way for a Hindu to fill vacant seat of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti.
Now, there is no representation of Christians in National Assembly of Pakistan after selection of Mr. Khatu Mall from ruling Pakistan Peoples Party.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=183132925073358
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Pakistani Christian condemn devolution of Federal Minority Ministry
Jul2, 2011
Karachi: June 29, 2011. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have expressed grave concern on devolution of Federal Ministry of Minority Affairs and termed it as government’s attempt to end national identity of 20 mil
The devolution of Federal Minority Ministry will come in effect from June 30, 2011, as per decision of Pakistan Cabinet here in Islamabad on June 28, 2011.
The Federal Minority Ministry fell in list of ministries for devolution under 18th Amendment in constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan which was drafted and approved in Cabinet meeting in which Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti was present as Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs without raising any objection.
From 1st July 2011, instead of Federal Minority Ministry, five provinces of Pakistan will form provincial minority ministries.
The Minority Ministry was formed under portfolio of Federal Ministry of Religious and Minority Affairs in 1973, when constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan was adopted in Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto regime of Pakistan Peoples Party PPP.
There was always a Muslim as Federal Minister to head Federal Ministry of Religious and Minority affairs and a Christian as State Minister post in this ministry but in 2008, on demand of Pakistani Christians, the Minority Ministry was separated from Religious affairs and notified as an independent Federal Ministry and Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti was appointed as full fledge Minister to head it.
Recently, Akram Gill, a selected member by Pakistan Muslim League (Q) was appointed as head of Minority Ministry, when PML (Q) joined as collation partner of PPP led government to fill vacated ministry after assassination of Federal Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti on March 2, 2011, in Islamabad.
The PPP government appointed Paul Bhatti, brother of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti, as Advisor on Minority Affairs to Prime Minister of Pakistan, a rank equal to Federal Minister but stayed reluctant to nominate him on vacated seat of his brother in National Assembly of Pakistan.
Nazir Bhatti said that Federal Minority Ministry was identity of 20 million Pakistani Christians but PPP government has scratched our identity with devolution of Federal Minority Ministry.
“The issues of Christians are of National Level which are related to legislation to ensure them equal basic democratic right and not connected with provincial autonomy because Christians have not any Separate Christian province which is claimed in 18th Amendment in constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan” said Nazir Bhatti
Nazir Bhatti added that none of Christian political party was called to sign on 18th amendment and it is decision of Muslim political groups only.
There is white stripe in Flag of Pakistan as recognition of religious minorities in Federation of Pakistan but after devolution of Federal Minority Ministry, the white strip in flag of Pakistan is turned green also with Islamic Kalma.
Nazir Bhatti said “It is time to divide Punjab and form Separatee Christian Province that Christian may also enjoy provincial autonomy in Pakistan after 18th Amendment in constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan”
http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/viewnews.php?newsid=1742
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Key US lawmaker condemns Muslim Brotherhood talks
Jul 2, 2011
WASHINGTON: A key US lawmaker on Friday condemned contacts between President Barack Obama’s administration and Egypt’s once-banned Muslim Brotherhood, warning the group aims to impose strict Islamist law.
“I strongly disagree with the Obama Administration’s contacts with the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood,” said Republican Steve Chabot, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.
“The United States should be doing everything it can to support secular democratic opposition groups instead of groups like the Muslim Brotherhood with the proclaimed objective of establishing Sharia law,” he said in a statement.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during a visit to Budapest on Thursday that Washington had been in “limited contacts” with the group as part of an effort to adjust to Egypt’s political upheaval.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/02/key-us-lawmaker-condemns-muslim-brotherhood-talks.html
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Massive protests in Syria; 12 killed in clashes
Jul2, 2011
BASSEM MROUE | BEIRUT
Hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded cities around Syria on Friday in one of the largest outpourings against the regime of President Bashar Assad since the uprisings began more than three months ago. At least 12 persons were killed in various clashes, activists said.
The demonstrations underscored the resilience of the protesters despite Assad’s relentless crackdowns. Syrian rights groups say more than 1,400 people have been killed, most of them unarmed protesters, since mid-March.
The regime disputes the toll, blaming “armed thugs” and foreign conspirators for the unrest that has posed the most serious challenge to the Assad family’s 40-year ruling dynasty in Syria.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/349938/Massive-protests-in-Syria;-12-killed-in-clashes.html
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11 Afghans killed by roadside bomb planted by Taliban Militants
Jul2, 2011
2 July 2011 KANDAHAR — Eleven members of an Afghan family were killed by a roadside bomb that struck their minibus in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, a local official said.
“Eleven civilians were killed after an IED (improvised explosive device) hit their vehicle today at 7:50 am (0320 GMT),” Mohammad Jaan Rasulyar, deputy provincial governor of Zabul said.
“They were en route to Ghazni province from Pakistan through Zabul’s border area.”
He added that the group — five men, four women and two children — were all members of the same family and were thought to be Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan.
Roadside bombs planted by Taliban-led militants, who have been waging an insurgency against foreign forces for nearly ten years, are a frequent cause of casualties among civilians in Afghanistan.
Civilians are the biggest victims of the war. The United Nations said that 2,777 people were killed last year, the highest total since the war started in 2001.
The UN also said last month that the number of security incidents in Afghanistan this year since March was 51 percent higher than in the same period last year. Most attacks involved IEDs or armed clashes, it added.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/July/international_July64.xml§ion=international&col=
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Woman among 5 killed in Taliban, Afghan forces clash
Jul2, 2011
SHEBARGHAN (AIP): A clash between Taliban and Afghan security forces left two security personnel as many Taliban and a woman dead this morning in Daulatabad district of northern Faryab province, police said Friday.The clash erupted after Taliban attacked security forces in the limits of Daulatabad district, Said Ahmad Saami, police chief of Faryab province, told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).Besides a women caught in crossfire, one policeman, commander of pro-government tribal militia, Mingalai, and two Taliban were killed in the gunbattle.Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousaf Ahmadi, meanwhile, told AIP that their fighters attacked a commander of tribal militia in Daulatabad district.He did not disclose further details.Foreign forces, Taliban clash in Charikar: Taliban on Friday claimed they had killed and wounded several foreign troops during an attack late yesterday in Charikar, capital of northern Parwan province.Taliban attacked a patrol of foreign forces in Hofian area of Charikar at approximately 10:00 p.m. (local time) yesterday, said Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for Taliban.He told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that four vehicles of foreign force were destroyed and the occupants were killed and wounded. Mujahid said Taliban did not suffer any damage in the clash.ISAF press office in Kabul confirmed a clash between Taliban and ISAF troops but did not give any details of damage to both parties.Taliban operations were reported recently in Charikar, Koh-e-Safi, Ghorband, Shinwari, Bagram and other areas of Passrwan province which hosts the largest military facility of foreign forces. Combined force kills several suspected Taliban: Afghan and coalition forces killed several suspected Taliban during a security operation in Charkh district of Logar province, they claimed Friday.The operation targeted “deputy Taliban appointed governing official” in Charkh district, NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a press release.“The Afghan-led security force was conducting a call-out at a compound when they were attacked by several armed insurgents from an adjacent building.The force returned fire, killing the insurgents. Initial reports indicate there were no civilian casualties,” it added.But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that their fighters attacked a dismounted patrol of foreign forces in central area of Charkh district at approximately 5:00 p.m. yesterday.He claimed that three foreign troops were killed and four wounded in the half hour fighting while there were no casualties to Taliban.
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/?p=33943
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Syria death toll rises to 28, Assad sacks Hama governor
Jul2, 2011
Syrian forces killed 28 civilians on a day of massive anti-regime rallies and in shelling of villages in the northwestern province of Idlib, human rights activists said.
State television meanwhile reported that President Bashar al-Assad sacked the governor of Hama, a day after half a million protesters flooded the central city demanding the ouster of their embattled leader.
Most of Friday’s victims were killed in the Idlib province, where all week troops backed by tanks and armoured personnel carriers have swept through villages to crush dissent against Assad’s autocratic regime.
“Sixteen people were killed” in Idlib on Friday, Ammar Qorabi, the head of the National Organisation for Human Rights, told AFP in Nicosia on Saturday.
Three of them were women who died when the army shelled a chicken hatchery in the village of Al-Bara, Qorabi said.
Another 10 people were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse protests in several cities, including eight in the central protest hub of Homs and two in the Damascus neighbourhood of Qadam.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/July/middleeast_July40.xml§ion=middleeast
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Libya can sting Europe like ‘swarm of bees’: Moamer Qadhafi
Jul2, 2011
The embattled leader also urged supporters to retrieve weapons that France supplied to rebels battling his regime, in a speech broadcast by loudspeakers to crowds in Tripoli's emblematic Green Square. - AFP (File Photo)
TRIPOLI: Libyan leader Moamer Qadhafi threatened retaliation against Europe on Friday unless Nato ceases its operations, saying loyalist forces can launch stinging attacks like “locusts and bees.”
The embattled leader also urged supporters to retrieve weapons that France supplied to rebels battling his regime, in a speech broadcast by loudspeakers to crowds in Tripoli’s emblematic Green Square.
“The Libyan people are capable, one day, of taking the battle to Europe and the Mediterranean” region, Qadhafi said in the message, as thousands of supporters massed in the landmark square in the centre of the capital.
“They could attack your homes, your offices, your families (who) could become legitimate military targets because you have transformed our offices, headquarters, homes and children into military targets which you say are legitimate,” Qadhafi said.
“If we decide to do so, we are capable of throwing ourselves on Europe like swarms of locusts or bees.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/02/libya-can-sting-europe-like-swarm-of-bees-qadhafi.html
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Gaddafi’s granny army
Jul2, 2011
Libya despot trains elderly women to become ‘killing machines’ as civil war takes a toll on his forces
THE Libyan government has unveiled its latest weapon to defend Muammar Gaddafi’s regime from rebel fighters — women.
As the Nato bombing campaign in the country entered its 100th day on Monday, Gaddafi loyalists paraded their new female fighters in front of the world’s media.
The 500 women loyal to the embattled leader had just completed a programme to teach them how to fire weapons, at a base near Tripoli, the Guardian reported . The images show women getting to grips with a range of weapons as the government revealed it wanted women to become “ killing machines”. Many women appeared elderly, whilst some were barely teenagers — but all were united in their love for the leader.
The waiting journalists watched as the women showed off their new skills, including target practice and loading rifles with ammunition.
Some were pictured firing their guns defiantly into the air, showering the ground with dozens of bullets in celebration. Hundreds were photographed waving greening flags and photos of Gaddafi.
Full report at:
http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=272011
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‘Qadhafi threats won’t deter NATO mission’
Jul2, 2011
Gadhafi's threats of retaliatory attacks in Europe deter their mission to protect Libyan civilians and force him to leave power after four decades of often unpredictable and sometimes violent rule.
"Instead of issuing threats, he should be putting the well-being and interests of his own people first," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said. "He should step down from power."
Speaking in Spain on the last leg of a three-nation European tour, Clinton brushed aside Gadhafi's brazen warning Friday that unless NATO halted air attacks against his regime, he would retaliate with attacks on civilians in Europe.
Gadhafi told a large pro-government rally in Tripoli that "homes, offices and families" would become legitimate military targets.
It was unclear how Gadhafi would make good on his threats and despite his past backing for various militant groups, whether the latest outburst amounted to anything more than a political rallying cry from a leader given to outlandish rhetoric. He delivered his message by telephone from an unknown location.
Full report at:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iX_h99MkZbVxHvrCp9iw0Dh2o25Q?docId=616ce236d0d844c4b4ae6dd90ba51f61
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US renews demand for Gaddafi to abandon power
Jul2, 2011
"Instead of issuing threats, Gaddafi should put the well-being and interests of his own people first," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a news conference
Madrid: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demanded on Saturday that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi abandon power rather than make threats against Europe.
"Instead of issuing threats, Gaddafi should put the well-being and interests of his own people first and he should step down from power and help facilitate a democratic transition," she told a news conference during a visit to Madrid.
http://gulfnews.com/news/world/usa/us-renews-demand-for-gaddafi-to-abandon-power-1.831600
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Resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue 'constructive' step: US
Jul2, 2011
Describing as "very constructive" the resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue, the US has said it is important that the two countries continue cooperation on multiple fronts, including counter-terrorism.
"We said last week and continue to say that dialogue between India and Pakistan is a very constructive one," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.
He said it is important that he dialogue continues. "We want to see cooperation on many fronts, including counter-terrorism, between the two countries."
The United States, Toner said yesterday, has engaged with Pakistani government at high levels, from the Secretary of State to the CIA Director, to address some of the difficult issues, but also to say that the US is committed to working with Islamabad in a constructive way on counter-terrorism.
Full report at:
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/resumptionindo-pak-dialogue-very-constructive-step-us_562101.html
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Gilani asks parties to support govt efforts on Kashmir
Jul2, 2011
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has asked opposition parties to back his government's efforts on the Kashmir issue so that a strong case on it can be presented to the world community.
"The opposition should gracefully accept their defeat in the (Pakistan-occupied) Kashmir polls and back the government's efforts on the Kashmir cause so that we can strongly present its case to the world," said Gilani.
Lasting peace in the region could not be achieved till a solution to the Kashmir issue is found, Gilani said while talking to a group of journalists at his residence here yesterday.
He said the ruling PPP would continue supporting the Kashmiri people at the moral, political and diplomatic levels.
"Pakistanis have an emotional attachment with the Kashmir cause and they are with the Kashmiris till a solution is found to the issue," he said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gilani-asks-parties-to-support-govt-efforts-on-kashmir/811874/
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Awami League ‘not satisfied’ with constitutional amendment
Jul2, 2011
Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League on Saturday said it wants an “absolute return” to the 1972 constitution that recognised no state religion but certain “realities” did not allow such a change, two days after an amendment that retained Islam as the state religion sparked a political row.
“We will say ‘no’ if anyone asks us if we are absolutely satisfied with the constitutional amendment... but some realities made it impossible for Awami League to return to the 1972 constitution,” Awami’s Local Government Minister Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters.
On Thursday, the country’s parliament had passed the 15th constitution amendment, restoring four fundamental principles — nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism — of the 1972 constitution. However, it retained Islam as the state region.
The two issues —— Islam as the state region and ’Bismillah’ in the preamble —— do not go with the country’s first constitution introduced in 1972.
The minister, however, said that Islam was kept as the state religion “as a means to show respect to the people’s desire.”
The ruling party’s comments came as Bangladesh’s main grouping of religious minority people rejected the amendment retaining Islam as the state religion saying it declined the rights of an estimated two and half crore religious or ethnic minority people of the nearly 16 crore population.
Several hundred members of the Hindu Boudhha Christian Oikya Parishad on Saturday staged countrywide day-long hunger strike while it promised to wage a tougher campaign against retention of Islam as the State religion.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2153352.ece
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BNP to launch movement for ‘fall’of Bangladesh govt
Jul2, 2011
BNP Standing Committee Member Khandker Mosharraf Hossain on Thursday urged the party leaders to wage a tough movement to ensure the fall of Awami League-led grand alliance government.
“The government is disseminating propaganda against Ziaur Rahman as part of its conspiracy but he lives in the minds of people. It is the demand of time now to launch a tough movement so that the government is forced to announce midterm elections,” he said at a protest rally organised by BNP in front of the National Press Club in the capital.
The party staged demonstration across the country, including the capital, on Thursday protesting the High Court verdict on Colonel Taher’s trial as the party pointed out that it is a conspiracy of the government to demean Zia.
Mosharraf said Taher killed 60 defense officers as they revolted. Taher faced military trial for this reason but the government in a planned way is trying to tarnish the image of Ziaur Rahman, he said.
Full report at: http://www.daily-un.com/index_test.php
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Iran supplying weapons to groups in Iraq, Afghanistan: Report
Jul2, 2011
Iranian military has smuggled deadly new weapons to various anti-American groups in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan, raising concerns in the United States, a media report said on Saturday.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran “has smuggled rocket-assisted exploding projectiles to its militia allies in Iraq, weapons that have already resulted in the deaths of American troops,” the Wall Street Journal reported, quoting US defense officials.
According to the officials, Iranians have also given long-range rockets to the Taliban in Afghanistan, increasing the insurgents' ability to hit US and other coalition positions from a safer distance, it said.
The report comes days after a top White House counter-terrorism official accused Iran of being a state sponsor of terrorism and trying to benefit from the instability in the region.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/iran-supplying-weapons-to-groups-in-iraq-afghanistan-report/811838/
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Contest in Pak’s Punjab univ: An ode to Osama
Jul2, 2011
LAHORE: Two months after the covert US raid that killed Osama bin Laden, posters emblazoned with images of the burning World Trade Center towers appeared at the country's largest university advertising a literary contest to glorify the slain al-Qaida chief.
The poem and essay competition at the prestigious Punjab University shows the footholds of hard-line Islamists on college campuses and growing efforts to raise their profile and influence even in the relatively cosmopolitan atmosphere of Pakistan's culture capital, Lahore.
The contest's organizers have kept their identities hidden. But many students and teachers suspect it is being held by a powerful Islamist student group that has increasingly enforced its conservative religious views on the rest of the campus — sometimes violently.
The Islami Jamiat Talaba, which is connected to Pakistan's largest Islamist party, has denied involvement, saying it doesn't participate in secret activities. But its leaders have publicly acknowledged that many members support bin Laden and have a profound hatred for the US.
The group's rising ambitions have intensified fears about the radicalization of Pakistan's educated middle classes, who make up a large part of the public university's population. The educated classes have been seen as a bulwark against militant groups such as the Taliban in the nuclear-armed country.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Contest-in-Paks-Punjab-univ-An-ode-to-Osama/articleshow/9071921.cms
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Al-Qaeda facing financial crunch and manpower shortage: Report
Jul2, 2011
WASHINGTON: Details of communication between al-Qaida leaders derived from Osama bin Laden's computers indicate that the terror network is facing massive financial crunch and difficulties in replacing cadres lost in combat with US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other places, a media report said on Saturday.
During the six weeks of intensive study of the materials obtained from Abbottabad compound of Osama bin Laden, where he was killed by special US forces on May 2, the CIA-led inter-agency team prepared some 400 intelligence reports.
The most important information gleaned from the 15 computers and 100 storage devices recovered from his compound is the information about the internal strains of the terrorist outfit and the repeated attempt of bin Laden to carry out attacks on the US, The Washington Post reported.
"The trove makes it clear that bin Laden's primary goal -- you can call it an obsession -- was to attack the US homeland," a senior US counter-terrorism official was quoted as saying.
"He pushed for this every way he could," he added. According to The Washington Post over the past year, the al-Qaida leader fielded e-mails from followers lamenting the toll being taken by CIA drone "explosions" as well as the network's financial plight.
"Bin Laden approved the creation of a counter-intelligence unit to root out traitors and spies, only to receive a complaint in mid-2010.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Al-Qaida-facing-financial-crunch-and-manpower-shortage-Report/articleshow/9076151.cms
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Swiss couple abducted in Pakistan
Jul2, 2011
Islamabad: A Swiss couple was abducted by unidentified armed men in the restive Balochistan province of southwest Pakistan on Friday, a senior police official said.
"Unidentified gunmen intercepted the foreigners' vehicle...and took them at gunpoint to an unknown destination," said Ghulam Ali Lashari, the police chief of Loralai district.
The Swiss nationals were abducted in Sirki Jangle area of Loralai, over 250-km from provincial capital Quetta. Lashari identified them as Olivier David and his wife W Omer.
The couple, who were travelling in a vehicle, entered Loralai district at 5:45 pm and registered themselves at a police check post as tourists from Switzerland.
They were kidnapped after they entered an area of Loralai district controlled by the Levies militia, Lashari told state-run APP news agency.
The Swiss couple came to Loralai from Dera Ghazi Khan district of Punjab province. The couple's vehicle was found abandoned near Killi Nigah in Loralai.
Law enforcement personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the couple.
No group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. An American national working for the UN refugee agency was kidnapped in Quetta in February 2009 and released after two months of captivity.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/swiss-couple-abducted-in-pakistan/164287-56.html
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PML-N hurdle for grand Opp. alliance, says Pak Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam
Jul2, 2011
ISLAMABAD – The Chief of Jamiat-e Ulema-e Islam Maulana Fazl-ur Rehman considered Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz as hurdle in the making of grand opposition alliance.
He said that Abdul Ghafoor Haidery will be the opposition leader in the Senate. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has assured its support on the opposition leader in the Senate, he added.
Maulana Fazl-ur Rehman also criticized over the issue of Shamsi airbase. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the United States wanted to take control of Pakistan’s nuclear assets by destabilising the country and isolating the army from the masses.
Talking to media persons at the Parliament House after Friday prayers, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said there was a conspiracy to get a resolution adopted from the United Nations Security Council that Pakistan’s nuclear assets were not safe and then it would enable USA to get hold of these weapons.
He said the government, army and the establishment will have to take a U-turn in its policy towards the United States to make it clear on Washington that it cannot win war in Afghanistan without Pakistan. He said in fact America has lost this war and was now finding different excuses to withdraw its forces.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman took strong exception to the statement of a US official that they would not vacate the Shamsi airbase. He said after the statement of Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, such a statement from the American official was an insult of Pakistan. He said this was due to our weak policies that such things are happening. He said there is still time for Pakistan to say goodbye to the war on terror. He said no group would have justification to carry out acts of terrorism in the country if Pakistan separates itself from the US war.
Full report at:
http://dailymailnews.com/0711/02/FrontPage/index.php?id=2
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Pakistan, UK vow to reinforce bilateral ties
Jul2, 2011
LONDON – President Asif Ali Zardari and the British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed on Friday at their meeting here that both countries will continue to work together for fighting militancy and for promoting peace in the region.
The two leaders at their meeting at the Downing Street welcomed the ongoing collaboration between the UK and Pakistani governments to tackle violent extremism and radicalization and agreed to enhance cooperation in support of a comprehensive approach by the Government of Pakistan.The meeting was also attended by Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Prime Minister Cameron warmly received the Pakistani leader on his arrival at the Downing Street and shook hands warmly outside the famous number 10 door.
Briefing the media, Farhatullah Babar, Spokesperson to the President said that Pakistan and United Kingdom agreed to prepare a comprehensive plan of action to intensify cooperation in trade and business, defence, development, education, health, security and cultural cooperation.
Both the leaders in their discussion had consensual view that terrorism was the enemy of both Pakistan and Britain and that the two countries should continue to work together to fight the menace.
Full report at:
http://dailymailnews.com/0711/02/FrontPage/index.php?id=4
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‘Huge ransom paid in Pakistan’ for Western hostages
Jul2, 2011
KABUL: New details have emerged of how two Western hostages in Afghanistan were freed in exchange for a hefty ransom paid in Pakistan and the release of two brothers from a mafia-style, Taliban-linked group.
French journalists Herve Ghesquiere and Stephane Taponier, whose 18-month ordeal made them the longest-held Western hostages in Afghanistan, were released in a painstakingly brokered deal, say experts and Taliban sources. The French government denied paying any ransom, but Western experts say cash for hostages is routine policy in Europe and interpret the public remarks merely as an attempt to discourage future hostage taking.
The Taliban announced from their fiefdom in southern Afghanistan that there was a prisoner swap for reporter Ghesquiere and cameraman Taponier, but sources close to the case say it was only ever about the money. “A ransom was paid – an enormous amount – millions of dollars. The money was handed over in Pakistan,” a Taliban member close to central command told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\07\02\story_2-7-2011_pg1_7
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Afghan general resigns over Pakistan shelling
Jul2, 2011
KABUL: A barrage of 40 rockets was fired into eastern Afghanistan from Pakistan on Friday, a senior official said, as the top border police commander for the region offered his resignation over the government’s response to weeks of attacks.
General Aminullah Amarkhil, head of the border police in the eastern region, said he was not able to return fire and could not stand by as people were killed by the shells.
“I have submitted my resignation to the Interior Ministry because I can’t see my people being killed by shells fired from Pakistan,” Amarkhil told Reuters. “I have promised my people here that the shelling would be stopped, but people are still dying because we have no order from the central government to respond,” he added. The Afghan Foreign Ministry said in late June that four children were killed in eastern Kunar province by Pakistani artillery shells, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that Pakistan had fired 470 rockets over the border that month.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\07\02\story_2-7-2011_pg1_6
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Pakistan, UK vow to jointly fight terror, promote peace
Jul2, 2011
Zardari says he is confident that UK will continue to support democracy in Pakistan
Cameron says his country will support Pakistan for greater market access within the context of overall package from EU and GSP Plus as well
LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari and British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed at their meeting on Friday that both the countries would continue to fight militancy and promote peace in the region.
The two leaders at their meeting at Downing Street welcomed the ongoing collaboration between both UK and Pakistan in tackling violent extremism and radicalization, and agreed to enhance cooperation in support of a comprehensive approach by the government of Pakistan.
The meeting was also attended by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Prime Minister Cameron warmly received the Pakistani leader on his arrival at the Downing Street and shook hands warmly outside the famous number 10 door. Briefing media after the meeting, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that Pakistan and United Kingdom agreed to prepare a comprehensive plan of action to intensify cooperation in trade, business, defence, education, health, security and cultural spheres.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\07\02\story_2-7-2011_pg1_3
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Army: US Afghan pullback lets Taliban open new bases
Jul2, 2011
ISLAMABAD: A US pullback of troops from northeastern Afghanistan over 20 months has let Taliban guerrillas establish bases in the area and carry out unusually large attacks on Pakistan in recent weeks, the Pakistani military said.
Several Pakistani Taliban groups moved fighters into Nuristan and Kunar and used those Afghan provinces five times in the past month to send forces numbering in the hundreds to attack Pakistani border posts or police stations, said military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.
"In the past we never had this kind of experience, where 200 to 300 militants attacked us," Abbas said in an interview at Pakistan's army headquarters in Rawalpindi. "It's a big body in this mountainous terrain" and shows that the militants have established bases in northeastern Afghanistan that can house, feed and transport such groups, he said.
Pakistan's complaint about the Taliban filling a power vacuum in Afghanistan comes as President Barack Obama pledged June 22 to withdraw 33,000 U.S. soldiers between this month and the end of next year, replacing them with Afghan troops and police the U.S. is helping to train. The U.S. government contends that Pakistan has failed to eliminate similar safe areas for the guerrillas in its border districts, especially North Waziristan.
The complaints on both sides underscore the need and the difficulty for Pakistan and Afghanistan to maintain control all the way to the isolated, mountainous border between them, Abbas said.
Full report at:
http://www.statesman.com.pk/topnews/topnews.htm
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Morocco overwhelmingly approves curbs on king’s
Jul2, 2011
Officials and the president of the polling station count the ballots in a polling station in Rabat, July 1, 2011. — Photo by AP
RABAT: Moroccans on Friday overwhelmingly approved curbs on the near absolute powers of King Mohammed VI, with 98 per cent voting “yes” in a referendum put forward after protests inspired by uprisings in the Arab world.
Interior Minister Taib Cherkaoui announced the result on state television after 94 per cent of polling stations had reported results, adding that voter turnout had been 72.65 per cent.
Faced with demonstrations modelled on those that ousted long-serving leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, Mohammed VI announced the referendum last month to devolve some of his powers to the prime minister and parliament, saying the reform would “consolidate the pillars of a constitutional monarchy.”
Critics were quick to denounce the result and the youth-based February 20 Movement, which organised the weeks of pro-democracy protests, announced it would hold another demonstration on Sunday.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/02/morocco-overwhelmingly-approves-curbs-on-kings-powers.html
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Drones striking inside Pakistan launched
Jul2, 2011
The Pakistani government says drone strikes leading to civilian casualties stoke public anger and bolster support for militancy. — Photo by AFP
KARACHI: The CIA suspended its use of an air base in Pakistan as a launch site for drones three months ago, a US newspaper quoted American and Pakistani officials as saying.
Although drones striking inside Pakistan are now flying from Afghanistan, US personnel and drones remain at the air base in Balochistan, the officials told Washington Post, adding that security at the base for the officials and the drones was being provided by the Pakistani military.
The officials said that the drone launches were stopped in April 2011, weeks before the Abbottabad operation and after a dispute over CIA contractor Raymond Davis.
US drone strikes in the past three months have been launched from near Jalalabad in Afghanistan, officials told Washington Post.
The US has been using drone attacks to target al Qaeda-linked militants over the past few years in Pakistan’s tribal areas, a source of concern for the Pakistani government, which says civilian casualties stoke public anger and bolster support for militancy.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/02/drones-attacking-in-pakistan-launched-from-afghanistan.html
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Bin Laden was worried about al Qaeda’s state
Jul 2, 2011
WASHINGTON: In the final months of his life, Osama bin Laden was concerned about mounting problems facing al Qaeda and making a concerted effort to rebuild the terror network, The Washington Post reported Saturday.
Citing unnamed US officials who have completed a review of the trove of files collected at bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan, the newspaper said the al Qaeda leader was receiving e-mails from followers lamenting the toll being taken from CIA drone attacks and the network’s financial plight.
The documents were seized during a daring US commando raid in Abbottabad in May, in which both bin Laden and his courier were killed.
According to The Post, before his death, Bin Laden approved the creation of a counterintelligence unit to root out traitors and spies and received a complaint from the unit’s leader that it was losing the “espionage war” and couldn’t function on its small budget.
Bin Laden warned affiliates in Yemen and elsewhere that it was too soon to create an Islamic state, the report said.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/02/bin-laden-was-worried-about-al-qaedas-state-report.html
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Cameron, Zardari pledge to work together
Jul2, 2011
LONDON (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari and the British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed on Friday at their meeting here that both countries will continue to work together for fighting militancy and for promoting peace in the region.The two leaders at their meeting at the Downing Street welcomed the ongoing collaboration between the UK and Pakistani governments to tackle violent extremism and radicalization and agreed to enhance cooperation in support of a comprehensive approach by the Government of Pakistan.The meeting was also attended by Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Prime Minister Cameron warmly received the Pakistani leader on his arrival at the Downing Street and shook hands warmly outside the famous number 10 door.Briefing the media, Farhatullah Babar, Spokesperson to the President said that Pakistan and United Kingdom agreed to prepare a comprehensive plan of action tointensify cooperation in trade and business, defence, development, education, health, security and cultural cooperation.
Full report at:
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/?p=33611
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Latest standoff: Pak, US squabbles over drone base
Jul2, 2011
WASHINGTON: You have a friend you invited in as a guest in one of your bedrooms when things were good. But the friendship has soured and you want the guest to leave. No way, says the friend, refusing to vacate. You can't call the cops because the friend is himself a supercop. To make matters worse, someone in your house has sublet that guest room to another party who backs your guest. Your house if full of interlopers you thought were your friends.
Welcome to the bizarre houseguest drama involving Pakistan, United States, the ''forcible occupation'' of the Shamsi air base, and some bit players such as the UAE. Located in remote Balochistan, Shamsi is from where the U.S is said to be launching some of its drone attacks aimed at Pakistani terrorists. Pakistan now wants U.S to vacate Shamsi. U.S response: ''Sorry. Can't. Won't.''
First offered to Washington in the early days after 9/11 by the Musharraf regime when it simpered before the American threat that it will be bombed back to the Stone Age if it did not cooperate, Shamsi's U.S operations was a well-kept secret till February 2009 when Internet trawlers ferreted out Google earth photos showing drone aircraft at the base. News that the U.S was using Pakistani facilities to carry out its Predator campaign within Pakistani territory against Pakistani targets embarrassed Islamabad no end, sparking off a campaign to evict American assets.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Latest-standoff-Pak-US-squabble-over-drone-base/articleshow/9072470.cms
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UK asks Pakistan to move decisively against al Qaeda
Jul2, 2011
UK has told Pakistan to move "decisively" against al Qaeda following the death of the terror outfit's chief Osama bin Laden. "Now there is an opportunity to move decisively against al Qaeda following Osama bin Laden's death," British Prime David Cameron told Pakistani President Asif Ali
Zardari on Friday during a meeting at 10, Downing Street.
Bin Laden was killed in a US Navy SEALs raid in Pakistan's garrison town Abbottabad on May 2. During their first face-to-face talks since bin Laden's death, Cameron and Zardari discussed "terrorism, agreeing that it is a global phenomenon that should be fought by intensifying cooperation at all levels."
The Prime Minister also appreciated Islamabad's efforts in the fight against terror. A spokesman at 10, Downing Street said: "Cameron appreciated Pakistan's full commitment to fight terrorism and stressed that there was now an opportunity to move decisively against al Qaeda, the extremist organisation that has harmed Pakistan as well as other countries internationally."
Full report at:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/europe/UK-asks-Pakistan-to-move-decisively-against-al-Qaeda/Article1-716345.aspx
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Navy to get a Russian nuke attack submarine soon
Jul2, 2011
By Mail Today Bureau in New Delhi
THE INDIAN navy will soon be equipped with a nuclear attack submarine.
In a $ 900 million contract signed by India with Russia in 2004, the submarine K- 152 Nerpa was to be taken on a 10- year lease.
The induction was halted because the submarine was involved in an accident in Russia. While the deal is now back having overcome the technical snag, the Indian crew had already been training on operating it.
While Nerpa will be a nuclear propelled submarine, it wouldn’t be accompanied by nuclear tipped ballistic missile, a capability that India is building separately with help from Russia.
India’s own nuclear submarine Arihant is still under production and was first revealed two years ago. Meant to complete India’s nuclear triad — capability to launch a strike from land, air and underwater — Arihant is being eagerly awaited for.
http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=272011
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‘Pak Army trying to weaken civilian govt post Osama raid’
Jul2, 2011
Ashley Tellis of Washington-based think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said the demise of the civilian government on issues of national security will not only undermine President Asif Ali Zardari's assurance of full support to the war on terror, but will also subvert Pakistan's stability by further strengthening the military that has in the first place "taken the country to perdition repeatedly".
"Far from strengthening civilian authority, the army's embarrassment has provided new opportunities to decisively undermine counterterrorism cooperation with the US and further weaken the civilian regime — even as Pakistani military sold fantastic stories about the army chief's struggle to keep his job because of 'excessive' cooperation with the US," he wrote.
He pointed out recent Pakistani actions such as arrest of US informants who supported the bin Laden mission, reduction of Special Forces components training the Pakistani Frontier Corps, sharply increased constraints on clandestine US counterterrorism operations inside Pakistan, the demanded diminution in size and status of the US military assistance mission in Islamabad and the continued support of jihadi groups that continue to target US troops in Afghanistan, as some of the disconcerting realities.
Full report at:
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/172902/pak-army-trying-weaken-civilian.html
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Hundreds of Afghans join anti-Pakistan rocket demo
Jul2, 2011
2 July 2011 KABUL — Around 200 Afghans joined a protest on the streets of Kabul on Saturday against what Afghanistan says are Pakistani rocket attacks which have left dozens of people dead.
The protesters carried banners with slogans such as: “We condemn Pakistan’s invasion on to our soil” and calling the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) a “known enemy” of Afghanistan.
The demonstration broke up peacefully after a couple of hours, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
Separately, the border police commander of eastern Afghanistan, General Aminullah Amarkhail, confirmed he submitted his resignation Thursday over the attacks.
A diplomatic spat has flared in recent days amid accusations over the rocket attacks which the Afghan government says could damage “improving trust and cooperation” between the two.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/July/international_July64.xml&se
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Iraq civilian deaths at highest level since January
Jul2, 2011
BAGHDAD: The number of civilians killed in violence in Iraq rose to 155 in June, the highest monthly level since January, according to government figures released on Friday.
The Health Ministry’s June toll of killings in bombings and other attacks compared with 102 in May. In January, 159 civilians were killed.
Deaths of Iraqi police rose to 77 in June, the highest level this year, while 39 soldiers were killed, the highest toll since March, figures from the interior and defense ministries showed.
In May, 45 police officers and 30 soldiers were killed.
The ministries said 192 civilians, 150 police officers and 112 soldiers were wounded in June attacks.
Full report at:
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article465125.ece
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Yemen officers arrested for betraying president
Jul2, 2011
By AHMED AL-HAJ
SANAA: The son of Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh has led a crackdown arresting dozens of military officers suspected of turning against his wounded father, including many one of the country’s most elite forces, the Republican Guards, military officials said Friday.
The arrests hinted at growing dissent within one of the key units that Saleh has relied on most to retain power in the face of five months of massive street protests demanding his ouster.
The regular military has already been fractured by the uprising, with some units breaking away to the opposition.
But at least outwardly, the Republican Guards and other elite units that are the best trained and equipped in the country have remained loyal, leading the fight against Saleh’s enemies. Those elite units are led by Saleh’s close relatives, including his son Ahmed, who commands the Republican Guards and Special Forces.
Full report at:
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article465147.ece
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US to operate drones from Afghan bases now
Jul2, 2011
By AZHAR MASOOD
ISLAMABAD: The US has opted to shift its drone bases of operation from Pakistan to Afghanistan, sources told Arab News. The decision by the US came as domestic pressure in Pakistan gained momentum against presence of the bases in the country.
Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar’s remarks on Wednesday that the US had been asked to vacate Shamsi Air Base was the latest salvo as the two countries tussle over their interests in an Afghanistan settlement. The Pakistani government seeks to publicly distance itself from Washington.
Full report at:
http://arabnews.com/world/article465173.ece
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Iraq amends draft oil and gas law
Jul2, 2011
BAGHDAD: Iraq has made some amendments to its long-delayed oil law which is being reviewed by the cabinet’s energy committee, Deputy Prime Minister Hussain Al-Shahristani’s office said.
Iraq has signed a series of oil contracts with international firms expected to boost its status as a global oil producer but investors have been waiting for the approval of a hydrocarbons law to provide a more solid legal framework for exploration.
“Iraq’s energy committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Hussain Al-Shahristani discussed in its meeting on Thursday the revised draft of the oil and gas law which was submitted by the Oil Ministry,” Al-Shahristani’s media office said in a statement.
“The committee has decided to study the draft and submit the remarks in its next meeting which will be held next week.”
Full report at: http://arabnews.com/economy/article465213.ece
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/proposed-oz-law-give-police/d/4954